Reviews

Across the Nightingale Floor by Lian Hearn

cgeesey's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, War, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, and Murder

jen_reads_books_'s review against another edition

• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

1.5

Let me tell you I was SHOCKED to find out Lian Hearn is a woman with the way she writes women💀 It’s got to be a talent in itself to write women as bad, as normally only men do when you’re literally a woman yourself. Justice for Kaede😭😭😭

nbpamies's review

adventurous reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jesslolsen's review against another edition

4.0

Not something I would usually pick up to read - the back cover blurb doesn't do the book justice.

I was worried at first that I would get too confused by all the different names, and wouldn't be able to keep track of who was who, but it wasn't as issue. The characters were beautifully written.

I read a few reviews before I started so I already knew it was set in fictional times, I wasn't bothered at all that it didn't follow a true-to-life order.

I loved it and will definitely keep reading to finish the trilogy and see how it ends.

almondcookies's review against another edition

2.0

Let me just start by saying Across the Nightingale Floor is an amazing title. Not a bad book, but I'm not keen on reading the sequel. The back and forth POV between Takeo and Kaede felt really dry because they both had the same narration - very simplistic with a lot of telling and very little showing. I was this. I felt this. I did this.

Speaking of which, I don't understand why such eye rolling, dare I say it, superficial, romance plays such a fundamental part in this book. Takeo and Kaede instantly fall in love without exchanging a single word, and are suddenly willing to die for each other. The first time Kaede sees Takeo, she literally develops a fever and decided she couldn't live without him. The secondary character's romance is much more compelling as there's definitely a politically dangerous backstory there, but unfortunately we never get to see how it developed or how it plays out as they both die prematurely. In addition, some political motivations also made very little sense, and the ending was rushed to the point it felt like they were ticking things off a to do list! Rescue this guy. Kill that guy. Rescue this person.

I did enjoy (parts) of the build up in the initial half of the book, especially seeing how Takeo and Shigeru's relationship develop, and how they grow so close, Shigeru eventually adopts him. I thought the lengths Takeo would go for Shigeru

Spoiler

even eventually killing him to grant him a merciful death

was the most realistic and heart warming part of the book.

Overall, it was okay, but would not read again.

samuelbaldry's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I'm a little over characters looking at each other from 20 metres away, knowing nothing about each other, and falling into undying love. Felt like the central romance was pulled into the spotlight and yet had zero substance. Loved the action, loved the mentor characters, and the setting - really great. Just a bit too YA for me.

songwind's review against another edition

5.0

This book is the story of Tomasu - a member of a persecuted religious minority whose home is destroyed. He encounters and is saved by the enemy of the man who ordered his village's death. The story of Tamasu (now called Takeo)'s life is one of many highs and lows.

It is also the story of Kaede, daughter of a noble family and hostage to the same lord that destroyed Takeo's village.

Hearn's setting is an alternate Japan, and many of the things in the story have clear parallels in the real world. The warring states period, Christian persecution, samurai culture and ninja.

The story is well written - Takeo is easy to relate to, lady Kaede evokes sympathy and then admiration, and the secondary characters are varied and complex. The political turmoil is rich, multi-faceted, and has plenty of legs for the rest of the series.

ddoncila's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

A beautiful prose style, dripping with drama that meshes perfectly with the feudal Japan setting. A great story, albeit somewhat predictable and suffering from some cliche tropes. Overall a very enjoyable read! 

lizouto's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

4.0

nyom7's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted mysterious tense medium-paced

5.0